Implementing and evaluating novel safety training methods for construction sector workers: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The construction industry is regarded as one of the most unsafe occupational fields worldwide. Despite general agreement that safety training is an important factor in preventing accidents in the construction sector, more studies are needed to identify effective training methods. To address the current research gap, this study evaluated the impact of novel, participatory safety training methods on construction workers' safety competencies. Specifically, we assessed the efficacy of an immersive virtual reality (VR)-based safety training program and a participatory human factors safety training program (HFST) in construction industry workplaces. METHOD: In 2019, 119 construction sector workers from eight workplaces participated in a randomized controlled trial conducted in Finland. All the study participants were assessed using questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at one-month follow-up. We applied generalized linear mixed modeling for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Compared to lecture-based safety training, VR-based safety training showed a stronger impact on safety motivation, self-efficacy and safety-related outcome expectancies. In addition, the construction sector workers who participated in the VR-based safety training showed a greater increase in self-reported safety performance at one-month follow-up. Contrary to our study hypotheses, we found no significant differences between the study outcomes in terms of study participants in the HFST training condition and the comparison condition without HFST training. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that VR technology as a safety training tool has potential to increase safety competencies and foster motivational change in terms of the safety performance of construction sector workers. In the future, the efficacy of participatory human factors safety training should be studied further using a version that targets both managerial and employee levels and is implemented in a longer format. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Safety training in virtual reality provides a promising alternative to passive learning methods. Its motivating effect complements other safety training activities.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a virtual reality-based safety training and human factors training method: study protocol for a randomised-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The construction industry has a high risk of occupational accidents and injuries. More randomised controlled trials are needed to identify effective techniques for improving the occupational safety of construction sector workers. New technologies such as virtual reality (VR) offer the potential to develop engaging learning tools for safety training. Although the number of VR applications in occupational safety training is increasing, only a few studies have evaluated the learning outcomes of VR safety training. Furthermore, previous studies indicate that learning to recognise human factors at work has positive outcomes for safety skills. However, there is lack of knowledge regarding the efficacy of human factors-related training in the construction industry. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and the implementation process of a VR-based safety training and a human factors-related safety training. METHODS: In Finland, 8 study organisations and approximately 130 construction sector workers will participate in a randomised controlled trial. The study participants will be randomly assigned to one of four intervention arms: (1) immersive VR safety training alone, (2) lecture-based safety training alone, (3) combined immersive VR safety training and HF Tool training or (4) combined lecture-based safety training and HF Tool training. We will test the efficacy of the safety training processes in these four arms. Randomisation of study participants is stratified by work experience. Baseline assessment will take place before randomisation. The short-term follow-up measurements of all study participants will be conducted immediately after the VR safety training and lecture-based safety training. The study participants will complete second measurements immediately after the HF Tool training approximately 1 month after previous safety training. The second measurement of the intervention arms 1 and 2 study participants will be conducted during the same week as that of the intervention arms 3 and 4 participants, who will not take part in the HF Tool training. Finally, semistructured individual interviews will be conducted to evaluate the learning process. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures include safety knowledge, safety locus of control, safety self-efficacy, perceived control over safety issues, safety-related outcome expectancies, safety motivation and safety performance. DISCUSSION: Study results will provide knowledge on the efficacy of VR safety training and human factors-related safety training. Furthermore, study provides knowledge on pedagogical techniques that can be used to guide future intervention plans and development. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN55183871.